OCEAN CITY — Boba Works, the newest addition to Ocean City’s vibrant culinary scene, has taken over the beloved former dessert shop, Drip N Scoop, at 960 Asbury Ave.
Immediately upon entering, customers are enveloped by a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The hardworking and friendly staff is eager to offer a range of refreshing choices to satisfy their thirst and sweet tooth.
The interior is quaint yet modern, featuring wood paneling on the walls and polished timber tables and chairs, creating a cozy, contemporary ambiance.
As its name suggests, Boba Works specializes in boba tea, also known as bubble tea. The Taiwanese delight is crafted by mixing tea with milk or fruit and adding chewy tapioca balls, known as boba. Each drink is meticulously prepared, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Stacy Wu, the passionate owner of Boba Works, is a 33-year-old entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience in the food industry. Originally from Atlantic County, Wu attended the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College, following her dream of owning her own business.
After gaining experience in the tri-state area, Wu returned to her roots, starting Boba Works as a ghost kitchen (a food service business that serves customers exclusively by delivery and pick-up based on online ordering) during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
By 2022, Boba Works was operating out of The Exchange in Linwood before finding its permanent home in Ocean City. Wu’s deep connection to the area and its small-town charm played a significant role in her choice of location.
“Ocean City just feels like a community. It’s a great small town, homey, cozy and I just love the vibe about this town,” she said.
Wu’s passion for boba tea is deeply personal.
“Boba’s from Taiwan, and I have a lot of friends and family from that country. I thought adding boba to the bakery aspect of my restaurant would be a great way to represent a little bit of them,” Wu said. “Not to mention, it’s just fun and delicious in general.”
Wu also spoke on some of the challenges of managing her restaurant and the meticulous process of making boba.
“We have to boil the tapioca for a while but you can’t cook it too long or too little, otherwise the mixture is unusable. The other aspect is, its shelf life after steaming tapioca is only a few hours, so we have to make a bunch of batches. It’s all freshly made,” Wu said.
However, as Wu explained, the work is worth it for the sweet delicacy that it creates. Wu personally recommends the lavender earl mix, but the fan favorite seemed to be the dragon fruit and lychee mix. However, boba tea is far from the only specialty that Boba Works creates.
“We’re more than just a boba place. Everything here, from the drinks to the pastries to the food is made and created with care,” Wu said.
The menu offers a variety of sweet treats such as scones, ice cream, macaroons and croissants, showcasing the diversity of food choices available.
Although Boba Works is new to Ocean City, originally opening in April, it’s already making its mark on the town. Visitors, locals and tourists alike are making Boba Works a fan favorite.
Local resident Emily Smith had high praise for Boba Works and says she has been a customer since its previous location in Linwood.
“It’s just so good; the staff is super friendly and fast. I love the Passion Paradise, it’s a must try if you haven’t had it yet,” Smith said.
With the summer season upon us, Boba Works is a delightful option that offers refreshing sweet drinks and treats to soothe the oppressive heat of the dog days. Currently, Boba Works is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday on the corner of 10th Street and Asbury Avenue.
– By EDDIE D’AMICO/For the Sentinel